S&W K 22 17-2 INFORMATION

[cpt-t]

Well here I am again. And I am in dire need of Your Experience, Knowledge, and Expertise as I was before. A S&W K Model 17-2 with a 6 1/2 inch barrel has come my way to buy for $570.00 does that sound like a good deal. The Gun seems to me as being in very good shape and the blueing is excellent . It has a very light faint ring around the cylinder, and the trigger & action is just outstanding. I really don`t think the Gun has been shot very much at all. It has the original small grips which I am not crazy about or use to. I did not get a chance to wright down the serial number. But the thing that kind of worries me is the gun is really dirty. Like it has been shot and then not cleaned then left that way for a long period of time. What do You Guys think is it a good deal or not. Also what is the difference between a S&W K Model 17-2 and a 17-3 and just what years, were they each made. Thanks in advance for any Information or Advice.
ken

 

[JP@AK]

Hi

First, I don't believe any K-22 was made with a 6 1/2" barrel. 6" was standard. Starting in 1958, the 8 3/8" barrel was an option. It has been reported that a small number were made with a 7 1/2" barrel. I've never seen one, nor known anyone who owns one. So, no matter whether it was from before 1958, or is a Model 17 or 17-1, -2 or whatever, the barrel should be 6".

Model 17-2 was made from 1961 through 1966. This was the beginning of the 3 screw frame.

Model 17-3 was introduced in 1967 and lasted through the end of 1976.

The only difference between a -2 and -3 is the location of the screw that attaches the rear sight to the frame. The old location was directly above the barrel/cylinder gap. It was moved slightly to the rear on the -3.

At $570 it is a buy if your description is accurate. Any K-22 Masterpiece in decent shape is worth that much, easily. I've owned several and never had one that didn't shoot well.

 

[bananaman]

I bought this 1 in July for $550 (1964) "buy it now". Very clean. No box or papers. It is crazy accurate. I added these stocks from my archive. Bob

 

[murphydog]

Not much to add to Jack's comments above, except if you are comfortable with checking out revolver function and good at cleaning guns, this one sounds like a solid buy. Dirty is easily fixed, dirty and obviously damaged not so much. We need the "after" photos!

 

[cpt-t]

Well I bought the S&W K22 17-2 MODEL I was asking You Guys about yesterday. I paid $450.00 and took the Old Gun home. The Gun does have a 6 inch barrel not 6 1/2 inch barrel, like I said. Just an all to frequent senior moment, that plaques me more and more all the time. As I said the gun was really dirty. Like a thick layer of dust, but it cleaned right off with hardly any real effort and the blueing is really nice. And so did the Bore & Cylinder, now they are shiny and bright. I have not found any rust anywhere on the gun. And neither the stocks or the checkering have a mar or a rub mark on them. Just doesn't make any sense to me, to be in such good condition and be so dirty. Any way it sure shines like a new gun now. I hope to shoot it tomorrow on a indoor pistol range, I sure hope it shoots as good as it looks, I have my fingers crossed. Oh yes the serial number is K552#929 could someone tell how old this gun is. Thanks in advance. And a Merry Christmas to all of You.
ken

 

[JP@AK]

Assuming the number is K552929, serialized in 1963, but it could have shipped later. (Note sure what that # is doing in the middle!)

I seriously doubt you will be disappointed at the range.

 

[cpt-t]

JP@AK: Just another one of thoes Senior Moments that I am plagued with, more and more every day it seems like. The serial is K552929 there is no ((( # ))) in the serial number. I swear sometimes, I think am lucky to just find my way home. Do You know if there is any body that still makes Trigger Shoes that would fit my S&W K-22. Thanks again.
ken

 

[JP@AK]

Ken

I knew it was a typo - that's why I gave you the smiley face at the end of that sentence.

As for the trigger shoe, I don't have any idea if they are still made. BUT, I think I have one somewhere that came on a gun I picked up years ago. I'll never use it, don't care for them. If I can locate it, I'll ship it to you gratis. Let me do some digging. If I can find the little bugger, I'll send you a PM and get your mailing address.

Merry Christmas!

 

[JP@AK]

"DON'T MEAN NOTHING"

Were you in 'Nam? I must have heard that a million times during my two tours.

 

[bananaman]

Well I bought the S&W K22 17-2 MODEL I was asking You Guys about yesterday. I paid $450.00 and took the Old Gun home. The Gun does have a 6 inch barrel not 6 1/2 inch barrel, like I said. Just an all to frequent senior moment, that plaques me more and more all the time. As I said the gun was really dirty. Like a thick layer of dust, but it cleaned right off with hardly any real effort and the blueing is really nice. And so did the Bore & Cylinder, now they are shiny and bright. I have not found any rust anywhere on the gun. And neither the stocks or the checkering have a mar or a rub mark on them. Just doesn't make any sense to me, to be in such good condition and be so dirty. Any way it sure shines like a new gun now. I hope to shoot it tomorrow on a indoor pistol range, I sure hope it shoots as good as it looks, I have my fingers crossed. Oh yes the serial number is K552#929 could someone tell how old this gun is. Thanks in advance. And a Merry Christmas to all of You.
ken

Congratulations on the 17! The price you paid sounds like a good deal to me. As far as the trigger shoe goes, it will permanently mark your trigger when you install it. Pictures of it would be good to look at & judge value. Bob

 

[murphydog]

"As I said the gun was really dirty. Like a thick layer of dust, but it cleaned right off with hardly any real effort and the bluing is really nice. And so did the Bore & Cylinder, now they are shiny and bright. I have not found any rust anywhere on the gun. And neither the stocks or the checkering have a mar or a rub mark on them. Just doesn't make any sense to me, to be in such good condition and be so dirty."

It makes perfect sense to me. Ever see the guy/gal who buys a brand new car and never washes or waxes it? Horrors! At least the previous owner didn't store it where it would get damaged.

 

[steelslaver]

I too have a trigger shoe that I just took off a 5 screw K22 that came my way with one on it. Not going to use mine either. If JP@AK can't find the one he offered you can have the one I have. I looked and must have got lucky because I found no little marks on my trigger.

$450 is a steal and $570 would have been a good price. Hard not to enjoy any K22. Sweetest 22 revolver ever made.

 

[snowman]

cpt-t:

Congratulations on finding one of these at what I at least would consider a bargain basement price for this day and age.

I just have a bit of a heads-up(if you're not already aware of it) before you take it to the range which may or may not be applicable to your particular gun. It is common for the older Smith 22s to have tightly-bored chambers, which typically results in difficult case extraction after they have been fired a relatively short time. If you're not aware of this and it happens with your gun, don't get discouraged or upset -as I said, it's common, and not that difficult to correct. There are several solutions which are outlined on past threads here, which should easily be found by running a search. On my model 18, for instance, I just cut a small piece of lead-removal cloth and polished the chambers with it, which eliminated the problem in my particular case.

If this is already old information to you, very good. I just thought, in the event that it is new to you, I might provide a little advanced warning to prevent the disappointment which has been known here to arise for some folks who encounter the issue for the first time.

Of course you may well be one of the fortunate people whose gun doesn't present a problem -I recall that my 17-3 never has had sticky case extraction.

Enjoy shooting your new acquisition.

Regards,
Andy

 

[cpt-t]

Guys I have to correct another TYPO or Senior Moment or maybe my computer can't type numbers, or I am in the final stages of Terminal Dumb As#. Probably all four of them. I said they wanted $570.00 for the Gun originally,and when I went back to buy it I asked him again what he wanted for the gun and He said $550.00. And that was what I payed him. I don`t have any idea why I typed $450.00. I just scare my own self sometimes. I am just a typical Redneck Cracker, at best. And it is best if I stay close to the house with my hounds most of the time.

JP@AK: I was in the Army and I spent two Tours in Viet Nam. First Tour 1968 & 1969 with a Mech Infantry Company with the 1st Div. Second Tour 1971 & 1972 Flying Hueys for the 1st Cav Div mostly. The most exciting thing I ever did with my life. And the friends that I made there are still some of the most special men I have ever met. Still to this day I Love them like brothers. And I still would trust them with my life.

Thanks To All Of You, for all expert information You Guys have shared with me. I can't tell You just how much I have appreciated it.

ken

 

[Green Frog]

cpt-t,

Congrats on your acquisition! It's been about 5 years or so ago since I bought my 1947 vintage K-22 at auction. IIRC, I felt good then when I paid $425 for it in about 85-90% condition... perfect to shoot without concern for a little wear or a couple of scratches. I may have just gotten lucky, but I've never been bothered by the dreaded "sticky chambers" I hear about from so many K-22 owners, without regard to what ammo I feed it.

I've been particularly pleased with the results using Federal's "Auto Match" ammo which is not quite as fast as "High Speed" but a little more powerful than "Standard Velocity." I buy the bulk boxes when I can find them reasonably priced and try to keep plenty on the shelf in my basement. I've never felt the need to pay extra for so-called "Target" ammo, but if I started getting hard extractions, I would probably go to straight "Standard Velocity" ammo for a little bit less pressure.

Looks like Santa came early for you!

Froggie

 

[JP@AK]

JP@AK: I was in the Army and I spent two Tours in Viet Nam. First Tour 1968 & 1969 with a Mech Infantry Company with the 1st Div. Second Tour 1971 & 1972 Flying Hueys for the 1st Cav Div mostly.

We overlapped. I was still in college the winter of '68-69. Ended up going over in 1970. Finished that tour and volunteered to extend. I ended up being gone from the U.S. for exactly two years. I did get my wife over to Okinawa for a while, and in the end came back to the World to a toddler (now in his 40s).

1972 was extremely busy for us. Supported ARVN during the Easter Offensive that spring - particularly at An Loc. Then they cranked up Linebacker and we were hitting the north from May to the end of the summer. Finally came home that fall.

The most exciting thing I ever did with my life.

Yeah, I guess. But I don't think I need any more of that sort of excitement.

And the friends that I made there are still some of the most special men I have ever met. Still to this day I love them like brothers. And I still would trust them with my life.

I'll agree with you there! Sadly, I buried my best friend from those years last summer.

God bless, and welcome home!

 

[DWalt]

The closest SN on my list is K5515xx which shipped in 2/64.

 

[cpt-t]

JP@AK: AN LOC was our Battalion Forwarded in 68 & 69 with the 1st DIV so we worked out of there. Worked the Rubber Plantations north west of An Loc and a lot of other bad areas. But the scariest place for me was without any dought Loc Ninh. The biggest fight I was ever in was just north of Loc Ninh 27th thru 30th of Nov 1968 lasted four days. I never seen anything like that before or since I still dream about Loc Nhin most every night. When I went back for my 2nd tour flying helicopters. I flew over a lot of the same areas I had walked, so quite often I really didn't even need a map. I left Viet Nam 2 Weeks before the big fight at Loc Nhin & An Loc. I am glad You made it home. I am so very sorry to hear about you friend.
ken

 

[JP@AK]

Thank you, Captain! God's blessings on you.